Logan County's Caleb Bruner, a 2015 WKU Baseball signee, was named Kentucky's Gatorade State Player of the Year on Thursday following his stellar senior season as a pitcher and hitter for the Cougars.
The Gatorade State Baseball Players of the Year were selected based on athletic production and impact in the 2014-15 season. Each winner also demonstrated high academic achievement and exemplary personal character, including volunteerism, sportsmanship and community leadership.
Bruner becomes WKU's second-straight Kentucky Gatorade State Player of the Year, as current Hilltopper Kaleb Duckworth picked up the honor in 2014 following his standout senior season at Henderson County High School. Duckworth made an immediate impact for WKU, smacking five homers and tallying 17 RBI in 25 starts as a rookie.
Bruner entered Wednesday night's Region 4 Tournament game against Bowling Green with a 1.33 ERA and finished his season on the mound 7-2 with 105 strikeouts after fanning six Purples over eight innings in the no decision. He was also a significant offensive force for Logan County as he batted .366 with 31 RBI and four home runs to go along with a slugging percentage of .535 (entering 5/27).
As a junior in 2014, the right-handed throwing Bruner was tabbed as the Region 4 Player of the Year and an All-State selection after going 9-2 with 111 strikeouts and a 1.13 ERA in over 74 innings of work. During his final 140 innings in a Logan County uniform, Bruner tallied 216 strikeouts in 140 innings while earning 16 victories for the Cougars.
As a student, Bruner sports a 3.90 GPA and has served on Logan County's student council as well as the Future Business Leaders of America club.
A couple of days later, he was named Region 4 Player of the Year.
Caleb is the son of Chris and Jenny Brady Bruner.
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